Bridging the Partisan Divide
The latest FEDtalk episode sparks a conversation on fueling compromise at a time when Americans are divided. With slim Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, stakeholders see a new opportunity to bridge the partisan divide with common sense policy priorities. Mike Murphy of the FixUs initiative, Michele Nellenbach of the Bipartisan Policy Center, and Ryan Clancy of No Labels discuss the path forward for Congress and the country with host Natalia Castro.
“We have a lot of problems in this country, but we aren’t going to be able to do it until we fix us – that is the internal divisions and distrust,” Mike Murphy explains as he introduces the show with an overview of the FixUs initiative by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
Murphy discusses a report which dives into the roots of American polarization. FixUs talked to over 50 former politicians about the simple question: why is governing no longer good politics? The report places the answers received into four major categories:
Structural incentives – such as gerrymandering, campaign finance, and partisan primaries which incentivize division.
Toxic media and social media – allowing people to exist in echo chambers with ease.
Role of individual elected officials – noting how politicians don’t spend enough time in Washington building relationships anymore
The need for citizen engagement – explaining the American people need to hold politicians accountable when they refuse to compromise to advance good policy
Michele Nellenbach from the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) and Ryan Clancy from No Labels joined the show for a panel discussion on bridging the divide. While BPC brings the policy perspective for bridging the divide, No Labels focuses on the political side.
Each guest spoke on the historical value of bipartisanship. Clancy said, “When you do things [in a bipartisan fashion] they tend to stand the test of time. They tend to last because there is a process where elected officials really worked to get to a good policy and when it passed, it sends a message to the country that we collectively decided this is what is best for the country for a while. This is going to be settled. When we do what we have done for the last decade, nothing is every settled.”
Nellenbach noted the problems with partisan policies being overturned from one administration to another. She explained that this culture is difficult for both businesses and people to adjust to.
With the new 50 – 50 Senate and closely split House, the guests noted the new power of the “moderate middle.” However, Nellenbach noted this is also the sign of a divided public. When the public does not reward cooperation, it creates an incentive to continue pushing partisan policy. Clancy furthered this point, noting how more partisan individuals tend to show up for primaries, pushing those who run in general elections to partisan poles rather than toward the center.
One effort to combat partisanship that Clancy discussed was the role of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan member-driven caucus supported by No Labels. Through this caucus, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle seek to bridge political divides and promote bipartisan policy.
The guests debated the best legislative approaches for fueling bipartisanship – piecemeal approaches versus large, comprehensive bills. While Clancy called large packages the “enemy to bipartisanship,” Nellenbach pushed back that large packages allow lawmakers to strike better bargains.
The guests concluded the discussion with a look at recent reports by the Bipartisan Policy Center and No Labels that dig further into these issues.
Nellenbach provided an overview of BPC’s report Coming Together to Support Workers and Families: A Pragmatic Agenda for the New Congress. The report included nine policy recommendations for a COVID-focused Congress that should garner bipartisan support and provide critical relief for the American people.
Clancy discussed No Label’s Six Bold Ideas to Rebuild Democracy. This report offers out of the box approaches for bridging divides and combating structural barriers to bipartisanship.
Listen to the show now on your favorite podcast platform to dive into the guest’s ideas for bridging the divide.
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FEDtalk is a live talk show produced by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm. Bringing you the insider’s perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.
FEDtalk is sponsored by the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP). The FLTCIP is sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, insured by John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company, under a group long term care insurance policy, and administered by Long Term Care Partners, LLC (doing business as FedPoint).